“Almost done,” her mother corrected, as she walked back to the dressing table. She retrieved the veil from where it rested. She pressed the encrusted comb into Zoe’s hair with the veil attached. It was another family heirloom, one Zoe would one day give to her own daughter, if she was fortunate enough to have one.
“That’s lovely, Rosalyn,” Agatha commented.
Her mother smoothed her veil. “Now, she’s done.”
“Not a moment too soon,” Agatha commented as she walked to the window and looked out. “The carriage is here.”
Zoe’s heart began to race immediately. It was time.
Her mother and Agatha collected her things and ushered her to the door. When she stepped outside she found her father pacing the floor outside her room. He was dressed in a grey suit. His gold pocket watch hung from its chain from the buttons on his waistcoat to his pocket. His hair was neatly combed against his head, with a part along the left side.
“Zoe,” he said, as he stopped his pacing. He stood there and stared at her for several long seconds before he approached. Finally, he stepped towards her and took her hand. He held it gently. “You look beautiful,” her father stated.
“Father,” Zoe replied, as tears began to fill her eyes again. She didn’t seem to be able to stop herself from tearing up.
“I know you aren’t my blood,” her father stated. “I know that I don’t have as much right as your real father,” he continued. “But I want you to know that I couldn’t be more proud of you than I am today.”
“You are my father,” Zoe answered. “The only father I have ever known, or want to know,” she cried, as she stepped into his arms and hugged him tightly.
“I love you, Zoe,” her father said through tears.
“I love you, Father,” Zoe answered as she sniffled and squeezed him tighter.
“Come, you two,” her mother said gently. “The carriage is waiting, and there is a man waiting for his bride to arrive.”
Zoe stepped back and Agatha immediately began to dab tears from her cheeks. Zoe had no friends in town to be her maid-of-honor, so her mother would fill that role, while Quinn’s father would stand as his best man.
They walked down the stairs as the household staff looked on. The cook, Betsy, cried as she passed the doorway. Zoe flashed her a smile as she passed and the woman waved back at her. Moments later they were in the carriage on their way to St. Augustine’s.
The church was large and over a hundred years old, though it looked as if it had just been built. The carriage stopped on the street and Zoe’s father got out first to help them down. Zoe could hear soft organ music coming from the inside. Her heart beat faster.
Her father took a deep breath as he hooked Zoe’s arm over his. He patted her hand. “Are you ready?” he asked, as he turned to look at her. Agatha rushed ahead to her seat before Zoe and her parents entered.
“Yes,” she answered, as she smiled at her father. Her mother stood behind her and fixed her veil and the back of her dress. Her father smiled once more before he started toward the door of the church.
The music changed to Pachelbel’s Canon as they reached the door. Zoe’s eyes found one face in the sea of strangers. People were standing before her, looking at the soon-to-be wife of the young man they were all familiar with. They didn’t know her. She’d never seen most of them, except for the scattered few who were friends of her parents. However, it didn’t matter. Quinn was standing at the end of the aisle. He was waiting just for her. He was dressed in a new, dark suit, and a pocket watch hung across the waistcoat, much like her father’s. He was dashing.
The church was simply decorated. Garlands of flowers lined the pews and candles dotted the space to give light. There weren’t many windows in the church, and at that time of day there was a need for the extra light, though Quinn’s face was all the light Zoe needed. He was a beacon drawing her to him, and her feet were eager to answer the call.
Her father began to lead her up the aisle, and with every step they took, the smile on Zoe’s face grew. She couldn’t take her eyes from Quinn and likewise, his eyes remained on her. His smile grew with every foot she came closer to him. Finally, as her father placed her hand in his, Quinn looked as if he could float away.
Reverend Kibble was smiling brightly as he stood before them and began the ceremony. Zoe could hardly hear his words through the beating of her heart. She did everything she was told it, and still, it didn’t seem real as the Reverend continued. Even as they exchanged vows, it remained almost a dream. She was really marrying Quinn. They were really going to be one.
The ceremony was over quickly, or at least it seemed that way to her. Zoe was so excited that it all seemed to happen in the blink of an eye. Suddenly Reverend Kibble was making the declaration.
“I now pronounce you man and wife!” he called to the sound of applause and cheers from those present.
Zoe looked at her husband. He smiled at her proudly as he leaned in and pressed his lips to hers as he held both of her hands. When they parted, Zoe’s heart was dancing in her chest. They’d done it.
“I love you,” Quinn said, before he turned to lead her from the church.
“I love you,” Zoe answered, as she smiled at him.
Zoe and Quinn walked down the aisle to the applause of their guests as some threw rice to celebrate their union. Zoe waved and smiled as they passed by. She didn’t care who they were. They were there to celebrate the most memorable day of her life.
The carriage was waiting for them when they reached the street. Quinn helped her up before he stepped up after her. They waved to those present as they gathered together in the churchyard to watch them leave. Zoe and Quinn waved goodbye before the carriage moved off.
They arrived at her parents’ home, where the household staff was waiting for them. The house smelled divine as they entered. Everyone applauded as they walked through the door. Quinn, being as chivalrous as she could imagine, lifted her off of her feet and stepped across the threshold of her parents’ house with her in his arms.
Zoe laughed as Quinn carried her. “Quinn,” she said through her laughter.
“What?” he questioned. “I told you I was going to do this right. It might not be our house, but it is the first house we’ve entered, and I will carry my bride across the threshold,” he insisted playfully.
“Fine,” Zoe replied. “Do as you wish…husband.”
Saying the word made her dizzy. Zoe pressed her hand gently to Quinn’s face. “I do love you so.”
“You better. You just promised to your life to me,” Quinn replied. “As I did to you. I wouldn’t do that to someone who didn’t love me.”
“And what about you?”
“Me?” Quinn asked. “I love me, too,” he chuckled.
Zoe smacked his arm playfully. “Quinn.”
“You know I love you,” he answered as he pressed his lips to hers once more. Zoe heard chortles around them as the household witnessed their affectionate display.
“You can put me down now,” Zoe stated. Quinn still held her securely in his arms.
“Do I have to?” he teased.
“Yes,” Zoe answered. “Our guests will be here any moment. I don’t think you want to be carrying me when they arrive.”
“Why not? Most of them are married. I’m sure the husbands did the same thing I’m doing now,” Quinn insisted.
Zoe looked at him sternly. “Quinn.”
“All right,” he conceded as he set Zoe on her feet.
She looked up at her husband and smiled. “Thank you,” she said as she looked into his eyes. Quinn brushed a strand of curls from her face.
“I would do anything for you,” Quinn answered. He kissed her forehead. “Anything.”
Zoe hugged him tightly. “I know.”
They lingered in front of the house as the guests began to arrive. Their parents arrived first and immediately their mothers were hard at work making sure everything was as they desired.
A do
zen guests arrived shortly after. Reverend Kibble was the last to arrive.
“Thank you for coming, Reverend Kibble,” Zoe said as the Reverend reached her. He congratulated Quinn first and then her, as he made his way into the house. The other guests were milling around, greeting each other. The staff served drinks as they waited for dinner.
Dinner was called several minutes later and Quinn escorted Zoe into the dining room. They sat together as toasts were made to their marriage and their futures. Zoe smiled, her cheeks warm, as person after person wished them well. She held Quinn’s hand for most of the praise and congratulations until it was his time to speak.
Quinn stood and raised his glass. “On behalf of my wife and I, thank you for being here. We are so happy to have you with us to celebrate this important day.” He looked down at Zoe. “Today, I married the most amazing woman I’ve ever met,” he stated. “And I’m the luckiest man alive. Therefore, I wish to raise a toast to my wife.”
The table erupted in cheers of agreement, as they all brought their glasses to their lips. Zoe watched her husband in anticipation. She just wanted to hold him and never let go. He was the man of her dreams, and it was no longer a dream. He was her husband. She was his wife. Zoe felt tears roll down her cheeks.
“What’s wrong?” Quinn asked. “You’re supposed to be happy.”
Zoe shook her head. “I am happy,” she replied. “So very happy.”
“Oh, Zoe,” Quinn stated as he pulled her into his arms. Zoe nestled against him gently as she cried with joy. Everything was as it should be. Life felt complete. She couldn’t want anything more.
Chapter Thirty-One
The carriage collected them from Rosalyn’s house after nine that evening. The guests were still enjoying themselves and came out to wave goodbye as the carriage took them away.
“Have a wonderful honeymoon,” Agatha called as she dabbed her handkerchief at the corners of her eyes.
“We will,” Zoe said, as she waved to their mothers.
“We’ll have you over to the hotel for lunch soon,” Quinn answered.
“Don’t bother,” his father answered with a huge grin. “A honeymoon isn’t for entertaining your parents,” he mused. “It’s for entertaining yourselves.”
Zoe laughed nervously and Quinn felt his cheeks warm. “All right, Father. We’ll visit you before we go back to Shaniko,” he stated calmly.
His father nodded to him as his mother continued to dab her eyes. Francis and Rosalyn smiled at them brightly as he stood behind her and rubbed her shoulders.
They were truly blessed. They had four of the most amazing parents a person could ask for. The love of both of their families was etched on their faces as they stood watching them leave. How had he ever gone five years without being in touch? Despite the fact that Rosalyn and Francis had only now come into his life, they were already a great part of it. Quinn’s only regret about the day was that Zoe’s birth parents couldn’t attend. They’d tried to find her birth family before the wedding, but they discovered that the family had left Boston three years before and no one knew where they’d gone.
The carriage took them from Rosalyn’s house down the streets toward the hotel. The night was cool and surprisingly quiet for Boston, but Quinn was enjoying it. He reached for Zoe’s hand and held it. She squeezed it and rested her shoulder on his head.
“I wish we’d been able to come here before,” she commented. “I wish we’d met long before now,” she continued.
Quinn smiled. “I don’t know,” he answered. “I don’t think I would’ve been the man I am now if I’d met you before,” he admitted. “I don’t think I would’ve been ready.”
“Really?” Zoe asked. “I think you were always this man.”
“I’m glad you think so,” Quinn answered as the cool night air danced across his face. It carried the sound of party on it as it passed.
“You disagree?” his wife asked.
“I was so bent on justice before I met you. I could think of nothing else,” Quinn admitted. “I think I would’ve overlooked you. I don’t think I would’ve appreciated you as much as I did when we met. I thought I knew it all when I first started chasing Victor. I was sure that I’d get him any day and return home,” he admitted. “It took five years instead of the few days I thought it would be.”
“You think that time helped put your life in perspective?” Zoe questioned.
“No, it was you and Pope who did that,” he admitted. “You opened my heart to the possibility of a different life. Pope made me realize it was time I made a choice for that life.”
“I wonder what happened to him after he left Shaniko?” Zoe questioned.
Quinn shrugged. “I don’t know. He didn’t say anything.”
“Do you think we’ll ever see him again?” Zoe asked.
“I don’t know,” Quinn answered. “I hope so. I think it’s terribly unfair that a man like that, who did so much to get justice for others and sacrificed so much in his own life, would be left to live alone the rest of his days.”
“I agree,” Zoe said softly. “I hope one day he comes back.”
“So do I.”
Silence enveloped them minutes later, but Quinn didn’t feel the need to fill the quiet. Zoe sat beside him, her hand clasped in his as the carriage continued on its course. He could sense her nervousness as the carriage carried them toward Young’s Hotel. The building, a design by William Washburn, stood on Court Street. Getting a room there was a miracle considering that it was the first place in Boston with electric lighting, and everyone who was anyone wanted to be the first in the city to experience it. Their stay was a gift from one of his father’s friends who wanted to give them a honeymoon to remember, and a week at Young’s was that and more.
They entered the hotel and Quinn was struck by the opulence. He’d never seen it’s equal. There was stained glass in the semi-circle arches above the windows. The mantels were supported by carved columns, and rich, deep-colored wood could be found everywhere. Marble pillars supported the ceiling and the floor was covered in a light-colored tile.
The lobby was quiet given the time of night, but there were one or two people milling around. Well-dressed men were chatting together near the arch to their left and the sound of music could be heard wafting from that direction.
“It must be the dining room,” he commented absently.
“Quinn, look,” Zoe commented as she pointed to the lights that hovered in the chandelier above their head.
“Look at that,” he commented. “They really are electric. Incredible.”
“Could you imagine something like that at The Red Stallion?” Zoe questioned. Quinn smiled. They were on their honeymoon and yet Zoe was still planning the future of her business in her head.
“It would stand out,” Quinn answered. “There isn’t a single place in all Shaniko that would have it. I don’t know that there would be anywhere in the state yet,” he continued.
“It would be something to have at home,” Zoe said dreamily. “I wonder who I would have to talk to in order to get information about it.”
Quinn turned to his bride as the porter brought in their trunks. “Is that really what you’re thinking about?” he questioned. Zoe shook her head silently. Quinn took her hand. “Are you nervous?”
Zoe’s eyes lowered as she nodded her head silently. Quinn suppressed a smile. His bold and beautiful bride was bashful. “Let’s get checked-in,” Quinn suggested, as he took her by the hand and led her to the front desk. He got them checked-in and a few minutes later they were being escorted to their room on the seventh floor.
The porter took their trunks into the room and Quinn and Zoe followed him in. Quinn gave the man a tip as he was leaving and then turned to where Zoe stood by the window.
She stole his breath. Looking at Zoe, Quinn thought no other woman could ever interest him, but her. There was no woman in the world like Zoe Ferguson.
Mortensen.
Quinn smiled. That was ri
ght. Zoe was a Mortensen now. Quinn crossed the room and came to stand behind her. Boston lay before them, the lights of the city illuminating the night.
“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” Zoe said dreamily.
“Not as beautiful as you,” Quinn said gently as he pulled her against his body and hugged her. “But it does make a pretty sight, nonetheless.”
Zoe trembled in his arms and Quinn kissed her temple. “Nothing has to happen tonight,” he told her as he continued to hold her close. “You’re my wife,” he continued. “That’s the most important thing.”
Zoe turned to him. “Do you mean that?”
“Of course,” Quinn said with a smile, as he turned her in his arms to face him. He held her face gently in his hands as he looked down at her. “I love you, Zoe. Whenever you’re ready is fine with me. I know the wedding night can be a bit frightening in the mind of women. I don’t want to rush you or pressure you in any way.”
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